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Queen's new composer hails 88-year-old royal 'boss'

World renowned composer Judith Weir officially took up her role today Credit: PA

The new Master of the Queen's Music, Judith Weir, officially took up her new role today and joked that to have "an 88-year-old woman boss" is a career first.

The world renowned composer cycled to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen and accept her new title.

Ms Weir, who has composed grand operas and piano concertos, said her chat with the Queen was "inspiring" and added that her new "boss" was in "tremendous sparkling form".

Ms Weir hailed the Queen's interest in music and said she felt inspired after meeting her. Credit: PA

Speaking about her meeting with the Queen, Ms Weir said: "To have an 88-year-old woman boss is a new one for me. She was in tremendous sparkling form, takes tremendous interest in music through the nation."

It was a most surprising thing to be asked to do so it was a challenge for me. I was curious, interested about it.

It's interesting to have a role that will cover the whole country and maybe bring some interesting information to light.

– Ms Weir

Composer Judith Weir (left), the new Master of the Queen's Music and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, previous Master of the Queen's Music, during a private audience with the Queen. Credit: PA

Ms Weir, who takes over from Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, said she was "very happy" to accept the "great honour" of becoming the first woman to have the role.

"One of my reasons for accepting the job was that I really feel there should be women in public positions, so given the chance to do that I accepted the job," she added.